At what
point in your life did you decided to take up bodybuilding?
Only 7 years
ago was my first show. I used to compete in a National competition called Ultra fit Cross Training challenge which is still
running today and I obtained the physique I had then from the type of training I was doing at the time. I also starting training
for the London
weekend television series of "The Gladiators" for regional trials.
Who inspired
you to get into a male dominated field?
It
was a very close friend of mine Don Styler who encouraged me to have a go at his bodybuilding show which is still held every
year now and is a very successful family run show. Don also used to compete himself and he looked fantastic then and still
does.
Do you
have any female mentors?
Yes Lenda Murray & Kimberley-Anne Jones
Do you
have people that help you come up with the routine?
Yes Kimberley-Anne has been brilliant in helping me put together my routine
for the British finals but prior to Kimberley's help a very
close friend of mine Emma Louise Bowen formerly a British Fitness champion had been fantastic. Also sponsored by LA Muscle.
What
sort of training do you do and how often?
I
train at 6.30 am every morning for my cardio and weights session and sometimes cardio in the afternoon also when I am competing.
I train normally one muscle group apart from one day when I do Tri's and Bi's together.
How do
you feel when you're on stage?
Nervous
as hell. I absolutely hate being up there unlike most bodybuilders who feel the opposite I think.
What
do you enjoy most about your competitions?
WINNING!
And obtaining the recognition for the hard work that I have put in to win the titles from friends, families, fans and my personal
training clients
What's
the atmosphere like behind stage?
Can
sometimes not be too pleasant but having said that at times it is the opposite and very friendly and very much like that in
the States (Muscle Mania) where I have competed before. Everyone tends to help everyone else out which is great and makes
it so much more enjoyable. It is stressful enough as it goes
How do
you usually feel when you win?
You
cannot explain it. Sometimes I have to remind myself I am not only the best in Hampshire but the best in GB and it is a fantastic
achievement as well as currently 2nd in the World. I remain on such a high for a long while and it is so special when everyone
who knows me congratulate and are honestly so genuine about how they feel about my achievements. It means so much to me thank
you all!
After
you win a competition are you likely to give yourself a time off/ if yes how do you usually spend it?
I
don't in all honesty. I am usually on such a high I would like to get in the gym and have another workout asap. But in hindsight
that has not been so good for me as one year I just came back from the European championships …I had placed 2nd and
was feeling really good as it was a higher placing than the year before. Started training chest and had done three different
exercises for the chest before being able to get onto the Olympic bench press….did my usual weight and bang tore my
rotator cuff. That year 2003 I placed 2nd in the British championships so it cost me my title.
What
are your future plans and goals?
I want to
win the Worlds this year in New York. But definitely next
year I do want to have a go at Powerlifting as I am very strong for my size and I am constantly being told that. Even Parham
feels I will do well at it and that means a lot to me if he says that. He also commented I could end up in the Guinness Book
of Records that would be cool! Watch this space.
